Australian bicycle organisations put cycling on the (Net Zero Road) map
7 August 2024 | Government relations, Policy & planning
Australian bicycle organisations have joined forces to call on the Australian Government to place active transport at the heart of a future Net Zero transport system.
In a submission lodged in response to the Government’s Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Consultation Roadmap a strong case for a major increase in investment for cycling was made and comprehensive data and support provided for the significant benefits when Australia encourages a shift to more cycling.
This is just the latest national effort in a year the bicycle sector has consistently made its unified voice heard in key government forums and consultations that will determine policy and investment for cycling in years to come.
We said:
- Active transport is a valuable tool for reducing road transport emissions
- EVs aren’t a silver bullet for emissions reduction
- Bikes are ideal to maximise transport emissions reduction
- Investment to get more people riding for their short daily trips is great value for money
- Bikes maximise economic opportunity, they are inclusive and equitable, and
- There is great evidence from global and Australian case studies to demonstrate all the above!
This submission is additional and complementary to earlier joint contributions we have made to the following consultations and inquiries. You can download the submissions by clicking on the links below:
- March 2024 – Submission to the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water Inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles
- May 2024 – Submission to the Climate Change Authority 2024 Issues paper; Targets, Pathways and Progress
- July 2024 – Submission to ‘A National Urban Policy for Australia’
- July 2024 – Co-signed a national statement to the NetZero Roadmap from 56 signatories, collectively representing over 2.3 million individuals and hundreds of other member organisations – from climate, health, union, religious, and social service groups. A powerful demonstration of power and unity behind a shared vision for a decarbonised transport system.
Parliament to hear from transforming Welsh MP
WeRide continues its national leadership role with an event hosted by the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling group on 19 August featuring Welsh MP Lee Waters.
In his five years as Minister in the Transport department Lee Waters set modal-shift targets for the first time in a UK Government transport strategy.
He made global headlines when he paused all new roads schemes while an independent review was carried out to test alignment with climate targets. This led to a change in the default speed limit in built-up areas to 20mph (32kph). He made institutional reforms to the bus and rail system to enable greater integration and before entering politics led the successful campaign for the world’s first Active Travel Act – putting a duty on the transport authority to plan a network of routes for walking and cycling.
The Parliamentary event is just one of many briefings Lee Waters will undertake on a multi-city Australian visit and tickets are still available for his Sydney Town Hall event with past NSW Cities and Transport Minister Rob Stokes and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO – both transformational leaders in their own right!!
Event bookings here: Streets for People Tickets, Thu, Aug 15, 2024 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite